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Influencing
Least Developed Countries' Ministerial Meeting
in Dhaka on Preparation for WTO Cancun Conference
Campaign for Positioning and Impact
on Globalization
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Introduction
Sushasoner Jonno Prochavijan (SUPRO) is a nationwide
network of small NGOs, which campaigned against
the WTO through people's mobilization, with 10
co-organizer NGOs. The campaign was held from
30th May 2003 to 2nd June 2003
parallel with the Dhaka LDC ministerial conference
organized by the government of Bangladesh. This
conference was held to jointly prepare a a common
stance for the LDCs at the fifth Cancun ministerial
conference of WTO, held in September 2003 in Cancun,
Mexico.
The campaign’s 10 co organizers were Unnayan
Bikolpa Nitee Nirdharani Gabashana (UBING), Odhikar,
Coalition for Urban Poor (CUP), Bangladesh Environmental
Lawyers association (BELA), Consumers Association
of Bangladesh (CAB), Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon
(BAPA), Center for Sustainable Development (CFSD),
Karmojibi Nari, Society for Environment and Human
Development (SHED) and Bangladesh Nari Pragati
Sangha (BNPS). The objectives of the campaign
were to influence the position of LDC ministers
in favor of the poor and marginalized strata of
society and raise people's critical awareness
on WTO and globalization.
The LDC governments are quite often constrained
to adequately assert their rightful positions
in the international fora due to the complex nature
of global politics.
SUPRO feels impelled to raise the voices of people
to strengthen the legitimacy of the LDCs demands
by demonstrating this solidarity with the common
aspirations LDCs for their uncompromising and
common stance. SUPRO organized this campaign within
a very short time and after planning for a long
time to campaign against globalization and the
WTO. Four international NGOs active on this issue
supported this campaign. They are OXFAM-GB, NETZ
Bangladesh, Christian Aid and Action Aid.
To fulfil the objectives of the campaign, SUPRO
administered the following activities:
Production of Development Communication
Material
Developed one easy, communicable material (book)
on globalization, WTO and its impact on Bangladesh,
in a view to developing critical awareness among
the mass population. This book has been distributed
across the country through SUPRO's 590 local partner
NGOs.
Developed one easy to read booklet on the promotion
and preservation of medicinal plants, to widen
the spread of  local
knowledge so that there will be grassroots protection
against TRIPS.
Developed one poster and one leaflet to publicize
the event. This poster and leaflet has been distributed
across the country for greater participation of
the mass people.
Media Campaign
Provided orientation to journalists in the electronics
and printed media. A total of 26 journalists from
local and national media participated in the orientation
workshop held on 26th May 2003 at National Press
Club. The objective of the orientation program
for journalists was to make them aware of global
trading, the WTO and globalization - which are
making the development efforts of LDCs difficult,
and convincing them to write and generate public
opinion on the issue.
Published a special supplement in popular weekly
magazine Saptahik 2000 on globalization, WTO and
its impact on Bangladesh.
Organized one Press Conference at the Dhaka Reporters
Unity on 30th May 2003 to inform the journalistic
community about the campaign plans, to invite
wider media coverage in order to sensitize the
mass population.
Campaign Events
Participated in Street Demonstration from Muktangan
to Paltan against the aggression of WTO with national
political parties, NGOs and cultural organizations
on 30th May 2003.
Demonstration of Medicinal Plants aiming to popularize
the concept of "No patent and bio piracy"
in central Shahid Minar with cultural program
on food security and farmers right on 31st May
2003. Three cultural teams "Rupantar"
of Khulna, "SPOSP" of Srimaongal and
"Dhol Badak" from Chittagong presented
popular songs, indigenous dance, drum beating
highlighting the negative impact of WTO on farmer
rights, bio piracy and food security. Within the
cultural program lecture, discussion was also
held.
National Convention and Preparation of
position paper
National Convention was held at LGED auditorium
on 1st June 2003 with participation from national
political parties, cultural organization, activist
group and NGOs. Around 700 people participated
in the convention and prepared Dhaka Declaration
through consensus of the participants. The highlights
of the declaration are :
- We Demand Unity of LDCs at any Cost.
- All Agreement must be in Participatory, Transparent
and Accountable Process.
Other Agreements should also be disclosed.
- We Demand Access of Product and Labor in Developed
Countries without any Conditions.
- Demand Commitment of Developed Countries on
Our National and Local Industrial Development.
- Demand Quota Facilities at least for More 20
Years so that Backward Linkage Industry can be
developed.
- Impact Assessment should be prior to implement
any agreement – Why we the LDC sololy compensate.
- We do not Accept Commercialization of Nation
Building Service Sectors Like Education and Health
- Separate Subsistence Agriculture from Commercial
Agriculture
- We are Against any Patent on Life Forms
- We Are Also Against Any Intellectual Property
Rights on Medicine
- Stop Conspiracy on Preparation of Bio-Diversity
Act
- Stop Bio-piracy in the name of Research and
Human Resource Development
- We Demand Implementation of Human Rights Issues
- No Bow Down to Threats, Believe in People’s
Strength
- Can Cancun Realize People Rights, Need People
movement
700 NGOs, national political parties, CSOs, activist
groups signed on declaration.
Street Demonstration from National Museum to Hotel
Sonargaon and submission of memorandum to Minister
for Commerce, people's republic of Bangladesh
and other participants in LDC Conference
Street Demonstration was held on 2nd June 2003
from National Museum to Hotel Sonargaon, but police
interrupted the procession before Shahbagh, there
was little bit dispute with police. Later in view
of agreement with police, a team comprised of
three members went with police to submit the memorandum
to Minister for Commerce. On behalf of Minister,
Assistant Secretary of commerce ministry received
the memorandum.
All printed and electronics media including BBC
widely covered the campaign events. The campaign
was successful in terms of popularizing the issue.
Future Action Plan
It is realized that critical awareness on WTO
should be disseminated up to down trodden people.
At least at present SUPRO consider following activities.
Seminar in 45 district with the active participation
SUPROs partner on Globalization, WTO and its impact
on Bangladesh. The objective of the seminar is
to raise awareness on that very emerging critical
issue and build people's opinion so that they
will raise the issue to politicians to take proper
stand.
Designing Training Course on WTO for NGO leaders
and civil society activist
Organizing National Seminar, Procession, Cultural
Program on 13-15 September 2003 parallel with
Cancun conference.
Sending SUPROs representative to Cancun Conference.
Linking with international network who raise voice
against WTO.
Follow the process of sue-generic law preparation
by government of Bangladesh to organize others
so that farmers and community rights on bio-diversity
will not be neglected.
SUPRO wants support from partners in this regard.
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SUPRO
( Campaign
for Good Governance )
House 13/3, Road 2, Shamoli, Dhaka-1207.
Phone (PABX): +880-2-812 5181, 815 4673, +880174 014
203
Fax: +880-2-912 9395, Email:
info@supro.org
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